PHOENIX – Idaho men's tennis claimed its first Big Sky Tournament title since 2018, defeating Montana State 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Phoenix Tennis Center.
Saturday's championship marks the 14th conference championship in program history dating back to its first Big Sky title in 1966.
"We have had consistent players show up in big moments all year." Idaho head coach
Daniel Hangstefer said. "We were able to rely on Matteo (Masala) and Mario (Duron) in singles, and Cisco (Bascon) was again phenomenal and he was able to get it done. It ultimately came down to Bruno, who came through with another clincher. Our team captains stepped up when we were down 3-2. When you have two great leaders, that's who you want out there on the last two courts battling it out for the whole team. I'm really happy for this team."
The Vandals were in an early 1-0 hole after dropping the doubles point to begin the match. MSU won at No. 1 and No. 2, putting pressure on Idaho.
Matteo Masala and
Alex Asenov hung on to win at No. 3 over Montana State's Marcos Zelver and Brad Buckland, 7-5.
Masala continued to deliver for Idaho in singles like he has all season, notching a 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 4 to tie the score at 1-1. The straight-set decision marks a perfect season against conference opponents for Masala, moving to 10-0.
Montana State took lead again after winning at No.2 singles. The Vandals were quick to answer as
Mario Duron defeated Nejc Sitar 7-5, 6-1 at the No. 5 position.
Deadlocked at 2-2, the Bobcats put the pressure back on Idaho with a win at No. 6.
Sophomore
Francisco Bascon held strong to knock off MSU's No. 1 Daan Van Dijk in straight sets 7-6, 7-5 with all eyes on No. 3 singles for the clinch.
Bruno Casino had the honors of closing out the match win for the Vandals in dramatic fashion. He dropped the opening set 6-1 before answering with wins in sets two and three (6-2, 6-3) to send Idaho home as champions of the Big Sky.
"In each match this season, these guys got a little better and a little more motivated," Hangstefer said. "We played 23 matches and I think all those matches prepared us for this moment and we came through."
Idaho will now turn its attention to the NCAA Tournament. The team will find out its destination and opponent on Monday, May 2 at 3 p.m. PT when the tournament field is announced.
MATCH RESULTS
Idaho 4, Montana State 3
Singles competition
1.
Francisco Bascon (IDAHO) def. Daan Van Dijk (MTSTATE) 7-6, 7-5
2. MateJ Panik (MTSTATE) def.
Francisco Gay (IDAHO) 7-5, 6-2
3.
Bruno Casino (IDAHO) def. Jamieson Nathan (MTSTATE) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
4.
Matteo Masala (IDAHO) def. Brad Buckland (MTSTATE) 6-2, 6-4
5.
Mario Duron Garza (IDAHO) def. Nejc Sitar (MTSTATE) 7-5, 6-1
6. Joaquin Espinoza (MTSTATE) def.
Alex Asenov (IDAHO) 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. MateJ Panik/Jamieson Nathan (MTSTATE) def.
Francisco Bascon/
Bruno Casino (IDAHO) 6-3
2. Daan Van Dijk/Nejc Sitar (MTSTATE) def.
Francisco Gay/
Mario Duron Garza (IDAHO) 7-6 (7-4)
3.
Matteo Masala/
Alex Asenov (IDAHO) def. Marcos Zelver/Brad Buckland (MTSTATE) 7-5
Match Notes:
Montana State 18-8
Idaho 13-10
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,2,5,6,1,3)
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